The old guy has a Chris Harrison problem. Well, the franchise actually has a lot of problems, but Harrison, who is essentially the face of Bachelor Nation, is one that is about to implode.
As calls for the firing of Harrison intensify, Matt James, the first Black Bachelor in 25 seasons of the show, broke his silence on the controversy ahead of Monday’s new episode. James specifically mentions Harrison’s ‘troublesome and painful’ words that excuse historical racism. Harrison apologized and announced on February 13 that he should temporarily “step aside” after defending his predecessor Rachael Kirkconnell’s previous racist actions.
Chris’s failure to accept and comprehend the emotional labor my friend Rachel Lindsay undertook by graciously and patiently explaining the racist history of the Antebellum South, a painful history that every American would have to understand intimately, was disturbing and hurt to look at, “James said. said of Harrison’s interview on Extra. ‘As black people and allies immediately knew and understood, it was a clear reflection of a much bigger issue The old guy franchise has not received enough attention for years. ‘
According to former Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise contestant Taylor Nolan, Harrison’s words are not very surprising to many in Bachelor Nation.
“I was surprised he did not catch himself. I was surprised that he, just as well trained as he was, did not know that he would probably have to shut his mouth because he was going to show himself,” the psychotherapist told Yahoo Entertainment . . “He just made his truth known, which many of us already know, but he’s never done it so openly. At the same time I am not surprised he did not catch himself because he really believes in what he says, he really did not think he was saying anything wrong. He thought it was a great conversation! ‘
During Harrison’s conversation with Lindsay, he asked people to show Kirkconnell a little ‘mercy’ after photos of her appeared after an Antebellum-themed party in 2018. He also said that it is not fair for people to dig into her and her parents’ voting records. . Nolan believes Harrison “somehow tried to defend himself” in that interview. (Lindsay, who was named the first black star in 2017, said something similar.)
“Who do you vote for? [does say something about you], “she explains.” I think he projected on Rachael K.. These are things that people in the franchise are … well aware of. That Chris is more conservative, that he is a Republican, that he is a very wealthy older white man in a high position of power, who rarely or never shared his power with marginalized groups of people. ‘
Harrison did not speak publicly about his own political views. Yahoo contacted its publicist for comment, but did not immediately respond.
According to the Let’s talk about it with Taylor Nolan podcast host, some former non-white contestants “felt a little uneasy” Harrison, given his political views.
“And not only because of his own personal views, or lack thereof in public, but also because he represented what the franchise represented, and the franchise did not represent the BIPOC community, did not represent the non-heteronormative community not and [represents] thin beauty European standards that our mainstream culture holds, “she says. Because Chris represents what the franchise represents, I think it’s part of what made no secret to many individuals. “
A Bachelor Diversity Campaign spokesman also told Yahoo that the group was not surprised after Harrison’s comments made headlines.
‘We are all fans of the program and the reason we came together is because we know The old guy has a problem with race. Chris Harrison, as both executive producer and the face of the franchise, plays a role in this. It was sometimes coded, or in what is missing rather than what is seen, but it has always been there. Now it’s just reinforced, “the group says. We are also not surprised by the dropout. It’s been a long time coming. … Like Rachel [Lindsay] said, the only surprising thing was Chris’ decision to speak so passionately and publicly in his dismissal of racism. ”
Ivan Hall, a fan favorite from Tayshia Adams’ season of The Bachelorette, tell E! News he will not do Bachelor in Paradise with Harrison as host. Former Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise Mike Johnson, the star believes, should remove Harrison from the franchise but not cancel it. Glo Nolan The old guy franchise “can absolutely go on” without Harrison as host.
“The amount of airtime he gets, it’s not like he’s telling the whole show. I mean, before I joined the show, I would quickly forward all the conversations people had with Chris because he did not really ask questions. has not! “Nolan adds, but says the decision ultimately comes from ABC and Warner Bros.
“I just think ABC and Warner Bros. need to be willing to take the risk, to really change their franchise, to change their franchise, to change what their franchise stands for. And that can be a difficult position to take. fill in because the very dedicated Bachelor Nation is holding on [Harrison]. They feel very strongly about him. So it’s definitely the hard decision to make, but honestly, it’s quite an easy decision at this point, “Nolan explains.
Yahoo has Warner Bros. called for comment on Harrison’s future, but did not immediately respond.
Two petitions from Change.org have been created, one to retain Harrison and one to fire Harrison, with the latter more than double the signatures. But the Bachelor Diversity Campaign hopes that the important message is not lost in ‘cancel culture’.
“We hope you begin to understand the difference between accountability and ‘cancel culture’, and that your apologies reflect your true reflection and openness to growth,” said a group spokesman and addressed Harrison directly. “If so, we encourage you to address the significant number of supporters who continue to defend your defense of racism (look no further than your comments!), And those like Rachel Lindsay, Taylor Nolan, Victoria Price and Mikayla Bartholomew of The Blckchelorettes podcast, and others, who led these important conversations with grace.
“We hope this is a wake-up call for you. We encourage you and The old guy “franchise that you represent, to look at the scale of setbacks and realize that this would not have happened if the problem had not been systemic – both in your own worldview and in the franchise’s treatment of race,” the group says. We really hope you do better, but it should not be at the expense of BIPOC players, crew members, employees and viewers, nor should it be while your host or executive producer is inside. The old guy franchise. ‘
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